No alcohol at Air New Zealand domestic lounge at Auckland Airport after liquor licence expires

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No alcohol at Air New Zealand domestic lounge at Auckland Airport after liquor licence expires

By Danielle Clent
Air New Zealand's new regional Koru lounge at Auckland Airport opened in November 2019.

Air New Zealand's new regional Koru lounge at Auckland Airport opened in November 2019.

Air New Zealand has ordered its Christmas ham, put up the tree, wrapped presents, but is yet to renew its liquor licence.

On Tuesday, the airline confirmed that it was currently unable to offer alcoholic drinks in its main domestic Koru lounge in Auckland.

An Air NZ spokeswoman said it was due to a "processing delay" with the lounge's liquor licence, but the council said it was because the airline didn't respond to a reminder about it.

The airline said it hoped to have the issue sorted "soon".

On Wednesday, Air NZ took to social media site Twitter to joke about its lack of licence.

It said it had ticked off three important items on its Christmas list, but not this one.

In the meantime, customers could visit the airline's Auckland regional lounge or enjoy the non-alcoholic options available, the airline said.

Auckland Council said the issue was not a delay at its end.

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"As part of Auckland Council's alcohol licence renewal policy, all applicants get a reminder letter one month before their licence is due to expire," Peter Knight, manager of alcohol licensing said.

"Unfortunately Air New Zealand did not contact council to renew their liquor licence for the Koru Lounge on time and it has expired. They have now been in contact and we are working with all our partner agencies to try and resolve this issue as soon as possible."

Access to regional and domestic lounges is given to Air New Zealand Airpoints Elite, Gold, Elite Partner, or Koru membership customers.

The regional lounge, which was opened in November, is on level one of the Auckland terminal. The domestic lounge is near gate 33.

Lounges access is also available to Air New Zealand customers with a same day regional connection to or from an international Air New Zealand business premier flight. Star Alliance Gold members may also be eligible to lounge access.

The domestic lounge has seating for 350 guests but the regional lounge can only serve 265.

Air New Zealand has to turn away passengers from the Koru lounge at Auckland International Airport during times of high demand, the airline said in June.

Stuff.co.nz

See also: Airport review: New Zealand's biggest airport is no major hub

See also: Airline review: Air New Zealand premium economy

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